The Complete Martial Artist
The field of martial arts seems to become more popular from year to year. Tons of schools open up daily in every city across the US, Canada, Europe and much of the rest of the world. But what is it that makes a martial artist complete? What separates a master from Joe black belt who thinks he knows enough to run his own school?
The martial arts were born through combat. The need to defend or conquer, shed blood and win glory. But they did not stop there. No matter how strong a worrier is he cannot continue fighting for long after sustaining an injury. The same can be said for an army. Even the strongest force requires a knowledgeable and competent physician to keep it from falling to its knees. Martial medicine has evolved from battle as much as the techniques that inflicted the damage which needed to be repaired.
A martial artist is not complete until he has gained an understanding of the human body. Not simply for combat but also to heal. A true warrior understands the need for techniques to treat his own injuries and those of his students. He sees the effects his training will have over the long term and takes steps to prevent the impairment of his own joints, tendons and muscles. He knows that injury prevents training which in turn lowers overall skill and ability. Without this understanding one is little more than an animal that knows nothing beyond his own basic instincts and desire for survival. Fighting skill and medicine are as unified as the proverbial Yin and Yang of traditional oriental medicine. Neither is better than the other and it is the two parts which make up the whole.
This ideology must be applied to ones own development, and even more so if the intention is to pass the martial skill on to others. No teacher should even consider opening a school without first understanding how to repair the injuries which are inevitable when training in any form or martial combat. A true master knows how to put his students back on their feet and how to prevent long term wear and tear on the body. He knows that for people to excel they need to train. And training is not possible with injuries or debilitating physical conditions that result from improper exercise.
Remember, even a mindless animal has the ability to destroy. But it takes true skill and understanding to heal.